Request advice for Sony KP-46WT510 TV connection to a PC: the TV can
input DVI-HDTV, Component Video (Y/PB/Pr), Composite Input and S-video
and i'm looking for the best way to use it with my PC equiped with the
ATI Radeon 9000pro 128Mb graphic card which can output on s-video and
DVI-I.
I would really appreciate your advice on making this equipement work together.
Thanks.

First, let us dispense with what you do not want to use. Composite
Input, sometimes referred to as an RCA connector and usually labeled
with a Yellow color, is widely accepted as the worst of the choices.
S-Video, the connector with tiny "pin holes" in it, is slightly
better, though it has been surpassed by other connectors.
So we are left to choose between Component and DVI. Some will argue
that there are some instances when Component will look better, though,
as stated in the following message board thread, "9 times out of 10"
DVI will look the best.
DSL Reports: DVI or Comonent Video
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10284013~mode=flat
Generally, Component is an analog signal, while DVI can be digital or
analog. In your setup, DVI will be digital, and this is advantageous,
because this means the signal will not need to be converted from
analog into digital. It will be digital from source to monitor. In
some cases you would not notice a difference between Component and
DVI. However, if you did notice a difference, it would tend to favor
DVI. (If you require more than 6 feet of cable length, than DVI may
not be the right choice for you.)
This article goes into further detail about DVI and Component connectors.
Projectorpeople.com: "DVI, HDTV, and HDCP. Oh My."
http://www.projectorpeople.com/tutorials/HDCP_DVI.asp
This chart will show you the different cable variations, and explain
the connectors further.
Naplestech.com: Analog and Digital Video
http://www.naplestech.com/pages/analog_digital_video.htm
All of this to say, congratulations! You should the get best results
from the output that is already built in to your ATI video card... the
DVI-I. (DVI-I simply means it can work with either analog (DVI-A) or
digital (DVI-D), but, we will choose digital.)
I suggest a dual link DVD-D to dual link DVD-D cable (2m), model DVIDL-2 $23
http://www.pacificcustomcable.com/DVI.htm
Your particular television, the Sony KP-46WT510, appears to have a
true 720p mode, which should yield you the best results. You are free
to try other modes, as well, of course. However, the "p" on 720p
denotes "progressive" scan, as opposed to "interlaced" which is marked
with an "i" like 1080i. Suffice it to say, a progressive mode paints
the entire screen without skipping lines, while an interlaceed mode
paints the screen once with "even" lines, then again with "odd" lines.
While 1080 might seem better due to the higher number, 720p is
generally better since it is progressive.
Sony KP-46WT510
http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start;sid=gbKaKWo1r8maOSr6WsGQIiU4BLeCsNmvGtY=?CategoryName=pr_p_onecentpremier_tv&Dept=tv&TemplateName=item%2fsy_item_b&ProductSKU=KP46WT510
When connecting to a computer, you need to be aware of this warning,
as seen it the material for your television:
"Viewing bright, stationary images such as TV logos, and or continued
usage of the 16:9 aspect ratio setting ("normal" Wide Mode) can result
in permanent damage in the picture tubes used to display images in
your projection TV"
This would also apply to stationary things like the "desktop" on a
computer, or any part of the computer interface that remains in a
fixed location on the screen.
Sony Product Manual for the KP46WT510
http://www.docs.sony.com/release/KP46WT510.pdf
From the manual, note this ominous warning:
"...not intended for use with personal computers."
In other words, use at your own risk. And, the movie studios would
appreciate it if you did not connect this to a device that does not
have their copy-protection built in... namely, a personal computer.
You will want to use PowerStrip to get custom timings into your configuration.
PowerStrip is the de facto standard for adjusting your video card
beyond typical video card settings to help you achieve the best
picture possible.
EnTech PowerStrip
http://www.entechtaiwan.com/ps.htm
I have found someone who has successfully connected your TV model to
the ATI Radeon with DVI, with the PowerStrip settings, so having these
settings handy will save you time:
AVSForum.com: "ffdshow, ati, dvi out -- WHATS WRONG"
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=f1576b68fc199486f139d20f1aa8c9ba&postid=3923575#post3923575
I believe you will also find this information useful:
AVSForum.com: "Sony WS510/WS550 Owners Thread"
Well, now you are connected, everything is working... but, suddenly,
the novelty has worn off. What to do? Want to blow the minds of your
friends? After you have everything working, and have your patience
reserves built up for another round of tinkering, try the directions
for using FFDShow to further enhance DVD and video playback on your
system.
HTPCNews.com: "DVD Postprocessing with FFDShow" by Joshua Schipmann
http://htpcnews.com/main.php?id=ffdshowdvd_1
Search Strategy:
Use my general knowledge of HTPC setups and browse the AVSForum for
related information.
Search Terms:
Component analog digital DVI
://www.google.com/search?q=Component+analog+digital+DVI
I hope you have found this information useful and easy to understand.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to post a
clarification request prior to rating the answer.

Thanks a lot for the helpful answer.
I got the DVI cable yesterday and could get a decent picture using one
of the resolutions provided by PowerStrip. I tried a couple of other
ones taken from the links you provided, but i guess i'll have to spend
some time finding the right one for my TV. This seems to be a big
issue for every one setting up a HTPC. If anyone out there has the
correct settings for a Sony KP-46WT510 TV i would appreciate if they
can contribute to this answer.

Thank you so much for the kind words and generous tip. I am glad that
the answer was helpful. This is still one of those areas that
requires tinkering, unfortunately. I had hoped that the PowerStrip
timings from King Kong's AVSForum post would work for you... but, it
sounds like it is not as close as you would hope.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=f1576b68fc199486f139d20f1aa8c9ba&postid=3923575#post3923575
If you have not already, you might want to post a follow-up in the
AVSForum in the HTPC forum, in case someone there has your exact model
TV. Or, you may want to periodically search their forum for your
model number, as new people are posting their experiences there all
the time.
Thank you again for requesting me... I am glad that I was able to help.

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